Rosler sees improvement as Leeds United beat Everton

Tony Harber

Leeds United head coach was encouraged by what he saw as his side beat an inexperienced Everton side 2-0 in their most serious workout ahead of the new season.

While it was not the strongest side the Premiership team could have put it out, it still showed that there is promise in the work Rosler and his staff have been doing to have the Whites ready for the big kick-off this Saturday.

A well crafted goal by Alex Mowatt and a deflected strike from the edge of the box by new striker Chris Wood earned United a deserved victory and Rosler hailed it as “another step forward”.

He said: “We continued improving. We’re not where we want to be, but we are coming closer and closer.

“Everton had some younger players in, but some experienced players in also.

“But we also have an under 23 team with some experienced players so it was a good account of ourselves.

“We finished our pre-season in style and we are now concentrating from Monday onwards.

“The main thing is that we are all marching together in the same direction and from day one that has been the case.

“We can’t lose our feet on the ground when we win against Everton, but we also can’t lose our head when we lose a game.”

A crowd of 17,057 turned up at Elland Road to see the only home game in pre-season and got behind the team in their new yellow kit as they took the game to Everton from the start.

Summer signing Wood forced a save from Everton keeper Joel Robles early on with a well struck half-volley then Mowatt shot over from the edge of the area after a strong run by Charlie Taylor set up a promising position.

Mowatt was just wide with a fine effort from outside the box and Leeds did have the ball in the net only for Wood to see his effort ruled out for offside.

Home keeper Marco Silvestri was forced into his first serious save after the break when he impressively kept out Conor McAleny’s header, but United re-established control as they went ahead.

Mowatt finished smartly after some clever build-up play and a one-two with Sam Byram inside the area.

Another good move followed soon after, but Byram’s shot went over.

The lead was doubled on 80 minutes as Wood’s shot from about 25 yards out looped over Joel after taking a deflection off a defender.

Leeds could have scored again late on, but substitute Steve Morison saw his effort kept out on the line.